Obituaries

She was a graduate of Great Bridge High School class of 1958, and Wheaton College class of 1962. She married Jerry McCoy in June 30, 1962, and was a historical interpreter for Colonial Williamsburg.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry McCoy; a daughter, Heather Slining of Williamsburg; a son, Christopher McCoy of Tulsa, Okla.; her parents, Richard and Eunice Todd of Chesapeake; a sister, Linda Wells of Great Bridge; and a brother, Richard C. Todd of Charlotte, N.C.

Mrs. McCoy was a person of quiet strength, gentle spirit, and a deep religious faith that she revealed in the way she lived every day of her life. She reached out to people, offering friendship, a helping hand, and words of comfort or encouragement to everyone she encountered. No one who turned to her in need was ever turned away. She made people of all ages and conditions feel comfortable around her, and more comfortable with themselves.

She had a wonderfully clear, common sense but kindly intelligence of the sort that can always see a way to reconcile conflict, or find solutions where others see only problems. There was a deep vein of poetry in her that abled her to see the beauty in everyday life, and to help those around her to see it too.

She had a talent for music and for fine needlework, but her greatest gift was her ability to bring out the best in everyone she met. She seemed somehow able to impart something of her own spirit to others, to put people in touch with the best part of themselves and give them new confidence in their ability to live and work together in harmony and do the right thing.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 4, at 8:30 a.m. in Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, Williamsburg. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. in Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. Burial will be in Merriam Christian Chapel Cemetery in Merriam, Ind.

Gifts may be made to The Janice McCoy Memorial for Geddy House Children's Program through Colonial Williamsburg Development Office.

Amory Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

ADA D. MCPHERSON

POQUOSON - Ada Darnell McPherson, 72, died on Saturday, Nov. 2, 1996. She was a native of Hampton and a Poquoson resident for 54 years. She was a member of Messick Baptist Chapel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Darnell, seven brothers and sisters, and a grandchild, Casey Marie.

She is survived by her husband, Edgar McPherson; three sons, Paul D. "Bubba" McPherson, William Ray McPherson and Gordon C. "Chet" McPherson, all of Poquoson; three daughters, Sandra M. Good, Connie M. Freeman and Nancy M. Greene, all of Poquoson; one sister, Sarah Ward of Poquoson; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home by the Rev. H. Ben Topping Jr. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and other times at the home, 516 Sandpiper Cove, Yorktown.

Mrs. Parker was a member of Hampton Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas M. Parker.

She is survived by one daughter, Jean P. Wood of Gloucester, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two sisters, Estelle V. Hafner of Hampton and Carrie Fields of Mathews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in Lawrence B. Wood Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Chester L. Brown with burial in Parklawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held this evening, Nov. 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lawrence B. Wood Funeral Home.

S. NELSON PARKER

WILLIAMSBURG - S. Nelson Parker, 89, lifelong resident of the area and often referred to as one of the "Old York Street Boys," peacefully entered into Eternal Life on Friday, Nov. 1, 1996, in Williamsburg Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Williamsburg.

He was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church, Highland Park, and taught adult Bible class.

He was a member of the Class of 1926 of James City County Training School. As a young man, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

He owned and operated Parker's Dry Cleaners for over 30 years, serving the Williamsburg and surrounding areas.

Mr. Parker was a Past Master of Maceo Consolidated Lodge No. 124, a member of the Queen of Sheba and Knights of Templar, a past Commander-in-Chief of John W. Kirby Consistory No. 40, and a member of Zem Temple No. 122, and was also a 33rd degree Mason.

He leaves to cherish his memories his sister, Mrs. Bessie Ashby; his brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Purnell and Ruth Parker, all of Williamsburg; his nephew and caretaker, Tony Moore; other nephews and nieces; and a host of other loving relatives and caring friends.